French broadcast deals bolster Nickelodeon shows

Viacom International Media Networks has confirmed a swathe of new deals with major French broadcasters across its pre-school, kids and adult portfolio.

A raft of licences with France's most important national commercial broadcaster - TF1 - includes Nickelodeon evergreen Spongebob Squarepants. There will be a selection of new episodes as well as the Spongebob Christmas stop-frame special.

Season seven of Dora the Explorer is also included in the deal.

The broadcaster has also signed for ten episodes of Kung Fu Panda season two, plus a renewal of Go Diego Go Great Dinosaur Race special.

France TV, meanwhile, has picked up the first season of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, season two of Bubble Guppies and a number of new episodes of Wild Thornberrys for its satellite channel France 0.

Finally, two major French media groups have signed Nickelodeon and MTV series for digital terrestrial channels.

Lagardere has snapped up episodes 101 to 125 of iCarly season one and episodes 201 to 219 from season two for children's channel, Gulli. Meanwhile, the Canal+ Group has signed all episodes of MTV's Pimp My Ride for digital station D17.

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